Double Waterfall Day Hike (Kaaterskill & Bastion Falls)

Let’s hike in the Catskills and see the storied Kaaterskill Falls this Saturday! We’ll do a ~7-mile loop through the beautiful North-South Lake area and Kaaterskill Wild Forest, beginning and ending at the South Lake Parking Area trailhead. This hike is chock full of the best nature New York State has to offer. We’ll take in stunning views of mountain lakes, walk along the dramatic cliff edges of the Escarpment Trail, stop at breathtaking lookouts like Inspiration Point and Sunset Rock, and visit the historic site where the Catskill Mountain House resort once stood. To top it all off, we’ll visit Kaaterskill Falls – one of New York’s tallest two-tiered waterfalls and a top bucket list item for any NY nature enthusiast. We might even take a dip in a swimming hole, so bring a swimsuit if you’d like.

The hike will take 3 to 4 hours, and we will take breaks for snacks and lunch. Expect to move at a moderately fast pace with periodic rocky climbs, root-filled sections, and rolling terrain. The level of intensity is moderate given the distance, elevation changes, and uneven footpaths. Only physically fit individuals should participate, though no technical climbing experience is necessary.

The forecast is currently a pleasant 75 degrees and sunny, perfect for a hike. You must bring appropriate hiking clothes which includes a wicking or athletic shirt, hiking pants / shorts or athletic shorts, and sturdy boots or trail runners / athletic sneakers with good traction. Hiking poles are helpful if you have them. Do not wear any restrictive clothing (i.e. denim jeans) or casual sneakers without traction. Please bring ~2 liters of water at a minimum and a packed lunch.

Logistics:

• Meeting Location & Time: We will meet at the South Lake Parking Area inside the North-South Lake Campground at 10:30am. If you're driving from the NYC metro area, plan to leave around ~8:00am to be on time.
• Trailhead Address: South Lake Parking Area, North-South Lake Campground, County Route 18 (North Lake Rd), Haines Falls, NY 12436 (GPS Coordinates: 42.1965, -74.0511).
• Carpooling: Because this hike is approximately a ~2 to 2.5-hour drive from NYC and is not accessible by public transit, we will need a good number of drivers to provide transport to fellow Blazers. If you have a car and are willing to drive, THANK YOU, and please indicate this in the prompt you're given when signing up. A carpool sign-up sheet will be sent out on Thursday afternoon (8/13), where you can add your info and the number of available seats in your car. You will coordinate a convenient pickup location with the Blazers who sign up for your ride. Passengers are expected to contribute $5–$10 to the driver to cover gas and tolls.
• Park Entry & Parking Fees: North-South Lake is a NYSDEC day-use area. There is a $10 per vehicle day-use entry fee collected at the campground entrance booth (Empire Pass is accepted if you have one).

After the hike, we’ll mosey over to Subversive Malting & Brewing in nearby Catskill, NY – a charming American farmhouse brewery and outdoor beer garden for well-deserved craft beers, burgers, and elevated pub grub. Breathing in fresh mountain air while sipping a cold beer and socializing with friends old and new will be the perfect way to cap off a fantastic day on the trails. We hope you’ll join us!